Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [building-regulations]

142 questions
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What "code" applies to projects that I do in my own home?

A good portion of the answers and discussion on this site references "code". What does a DIY-er need to know about code as it relates to project in their own home? Most of what I can find online either refers to commercial projects or third-party…
Portman
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Why are "Attefallshus" (Attefall houses) in Sweden not allowed to be on a land without a big house already on it?

Since 2014, house owners are allowed to have this kind of "mini house" built on their property. It's treated as a "real house", with its own address and somebody can live there and everything. However, you aren't allowed to skip the "big house" and…
R. Flicker
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Where can I get electrical plans for my new house?

I'm planning a few upgrades to the wiring in my condo that will require filing plans with the city. It would make my life a lot easier if I had the existing electrical plans (and probably other systems, too). The condo is new construction and I…
JayL
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How do building setbacks work on corners of the section?

Say that local regulations prohibit building within 10' (3 m) of a side boundary. And say that my side boundary has an internal corner as shown in the attached image. When determining how close I may build to a corner, can I simply measure 10' (3 m)…
Bruce
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Is it legal for a home/condo owner to do any electric work in Chicago?

As of June 18th, 2018, the City of Chicago Department of Buildings poses the following in their FAQ. Q: Can owners do their own electrical work? A: No. Due to the potential for electric shock or fire hazard, only Electrical Contractors licensed by…
Will Haley
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Building code in Canada

Are there any online resources for determining building code requirements in Canada? For example right now I need to know what the proper diameter for a dryer vent to the outside should be. Last week I needed to know how high a flight of stairs can…
matt wilkie
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what type of guard rail is needed on an open part of a 5 tread stair

I am putting a long continuos handrail along the closed wall of my stair but need to know what is required at the bottom where 5 steps are open on the other side?
Jane
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Do setbacks generally apply to basements?

Question is as in the title: do property setbacks apply to basements? I'm leaning towards "probably not" because all the setbacks I can find specify things like "construction more than 18 inches above grade" and similar phrases. I'm aware that this…
William
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What are the maximum dimensions of a joist regarding building fire safety codes

Due to a conflict with a newly-appointed fire inspector citing previously unnoticed violations of safety margins of a chimney construction in a house in Germany/Brandenburg, I had the pleasure to conduct a cursory research of the current fire safety…
antipattern
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Is it a legal requirement / building regulation to have a stopcock within a property?

I recently moved into a property (in the UK) - it's a 1930's semi which was renovated about 2 years ago. I am wanting to have a water meter fitted - utilities company came to have a look and couldn't find a stopcock in the house. There is a mains…
lizzy
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Setbacks meaning

We are building/renovating our detached garage that is behind our house. I’m trying to understand the setback rules. I just excerpted what is relevant… SIDEYARD (interior): One-Story: Total of 10% of lot width; No setback shall be required to exceed…
milesmeow
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Is a conservatory considered living space?

For the purposes of zoning, building and assessment, do towns typically consider conservatories to be living space? (A conservatory is a glass walled enclosure attached to one side of a house with a patio-like floor. It is used for growing plants.)
Tyler Durden
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Is there an app that can measure STC of a building? Sound transmission class

I am DIY renovating a historic building, putting apartments on the 2nd floor and office space on the 1st floor. I know from the building code I need to meet a sound transmission class of STC 50. Looking at the all of the UL-rated assemblies, there…
Keith Palmer Jr.
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Does 9'-11" mean any length less than 9 feet and 11 inches?

This post gives a deck joist span table Does 9'-11" mean any length less than 9 feet and 11 inches?
zghqh
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Where can I find the AZ county building codes?

I need to look up the building codes for counties in Arizona, specifically Maricopa County and Pinal County. I'm looking to build a custom home out of storage containers and I'd like to first read the building codes if applicable. All my contractors…
FatalSleep
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